WILMINGTON — The New Hanover County ABC Board awarded $600,000 to 10 local nonprofit organizations as part of its Community Health & Wellness Grant Program, marked by a presentation Thursday morning.
The grants will support programs focused on preventing alcohol and substance misuse and expanding recovery services throughout the community. According to a 2025 assessment by Novant, New Hanover County reported 19.7 deaths per 100,000 people, which is 77% higher than the state average of 11.1 and 56% higher than the national average at 12.6.
“At all levels, government funding priorities are shifting. In the face of change, we are committed to providing financial support for such vital, critical work taking place throughout our community,” outreach and communications specialist Lauren Iammatteo said. “Recovery professionals are nothing short of heroes; they are saving lives. Our funding simply expands their capacity to continue providing essential services to those who need them most.”
Since the program launched in 2021, the ABC Board has awarded $3.8 million to nonprofit organizations supporting local prevention, education and treatment initiatives for alcohol and substance misuse. This year’s awards range range between $27,000 and $80,000, in an effort to support prevention for youth, low-barrier addiction rehabilitation services, and trauma therapy.
“New Hanover County ABC Board recognizes recovery as prevention,” board member George Huffmon said. “Young people growing up in homes where addiction is present are more likely to trend down the same path. By providing assistance along the entire spectrum, we are able to make more meaningful impact locally.”
Below are recipients of this year’s awards:
- A Safe Place: $70,000 to provide sober housing and substance use counseling for survivors of human trafficking. A Safe Place has received $430,000 since 2021.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern NC: $80,000 to support SMART Moves prevention education program for local youth. The Boys and Girls Clubs have received $700,000 since 2021.
- Carousel Child Advocacy Center: $80,000 to provide trauma treatment for child survivors of abuse and/or neglect, greatly reducing the likelihood of future substance misuse. Carousel has received $415,000 since 2022.
- First Fruit Ministries: $27,000 to support street outreach, hot meals, and connection to recovery support for individuals experiencing homelessness. First Fruit has received $317,000 since 2022.
- Five14 Revolution: $70,000 to increase access to trauma-informed supportive services among survivors of human trafficking. Five14 Revolution has received $140,000 since 2025.
- The Harrelson Center: $50,000 to provide rental support for individuals in recovery housing that are facing acute financial emergencies.
- The Healing Place of New Hanover County: $50,000 to support its intensive peer-led model of long-term residential recovery, provided free of cost to participants. The Healing Place has received $200,000 since 2023.
- LINC, Inc.: $78,000 to provide Peer Support Specialist and Community Health Worker training and certification for formerly incarcerated individuals. LINC has received $508,000 since 2021.
- The Salvation Army of Cape Fear: $30,000 to provide housing, recovery support, and counseling for individuals and families at risk of homelessness.
- Tides, Inc.: $65,000 to provide Restoration & Resilience training in parenting, job readiness, and relapse prevention for pregnant and newly postpartum women pursuing sobriety. Tides has received $435,000 since 2021.
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